History of the Charitable Association "Light of Hope" Light of Hope began as a Charity Association in February 1999. In December 1999, Light of Hope registered with the Department of Justice, Poltavska oblast as a Regional Association of Charity for the care of HIV+ and AIDS clients. Light of Hope, formed by HIV+ people, was the first organization established in Poltava to provide self-help groups for HIV+ people. In the same year, the organization initiated an HIV/AIDS educational activity in Poltava and created a drawing contest for young people. The City Social Services Department adopted this AIDS awareness activity, which is now an annual event. In 2000, the organization established partnerships with numerous government agencies; began working with medical institutions to increase tolerance and awareness of the special needs of HIV+ patients; and received recognition in the media for their human and civil rights activities including publicizing numerous rights violations of HIV+ people. The organization also began to design projects to support the efforts of local HIV+ self-help groups. In 2000, Light of Hope established itself as a professional and well-managed organization whose aim is to change the conditions and circumstances of HIV+ people living in Ukraine. In 2001, the organization began addressing the rehabilitation needs of intravenous drug users (IDUs), and continued to develop its working-model of HIV+ self-help groups. In 2002, Light of Hope developed an innovative model of HIV prevention and social rehabilitation for drug addicts. The organization created an interactive theater studio "Rubicon." Participants were former drug users who successfully resolved their drug problem or were HIV+. High officials in Poltavska oblast, and other Ukrainian and international organizations recognized "Rubicon" as a unique approach to educating the public about drug prevention and HIV.
In 2003, the organization began a legal aid center for people living with HIV and began working with the Regional Center for Combating and Preventing AIDS (Poltava AIDS Center). Oblast government officials recognized the organization's work as both successful and effective and began providing funding from the oblast budget for HIV prevention measures and education of Poltavska oblast youth. In 2004, the organization received a 192 square meter building in the Poltava city center from the City of Poltava government. The strategy for the next two (2) years was to establish a full range of services for people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) and intravenous drug users (IDUs). Light of Hope employees became members of the Regional Coordinating Council of the All-Ukrainian of People Living with HIV/AIDS. In 2004 when Poltavska oblast began an oblast-wide anti-retrovirus therapy program (ART), the organization began a major program to support the health of and provide social services to ART clients.
In 2005, the organization created an anti-discrimination advocacy group whose aim was to support HIV+ individuals. For example, the organization began to advocate for greater funding from the oblast budget for harm reduction programs for IDUs. In cases of human or civil rights violations of HIV+ individuals, the organization advocated for official investigations of medical workers who denied services to HIV+ people. The organization also began programs for HIV+ children. Light of Hope has the first and only full time day-care center in Poltavska oblast for HIV+ children.
In 2006, Poltavska oblast began implementing Methadone Substitution Therapy (MST) and the organization began providing the social and psychological support these clients need to ensure success. The organization began a partnership with the local Drug Dispensary to distribute "Harm Reduction" supplies and printed materials on HIV prevention. The organization continues to receive funding from the oblast budget for the services they provide to IDUs. This funding comes from the Regional Center of Social Services for Families, Children, and Youth budget. One of the main achievements during 2006 was the recognition of the efficiency and efficacy of the organization's work by the Poltava Narcological Center and the Center for AIDS. Since 2006, the organization has provided part-time social workers to these oblast institutions. This ensures the continuing availability of well-managed social support programs for MST and ART clients.
In 2007, the organization created a "One-Stop" system to deliver a full range of services to IDUs and PLWHA. To gain experience and learn Best Practices from others, the organization began partnerships with foreign organizations. Staff trainings and lecturers have come to the organization from Belarus, Georgia, and other Ukrainian oblasts. Through partnerships with other organizations, Light of Hope increased its technical capacity, and opened offices or social service consulting rooms in: o Poltava, o An in-patient rehabilitation branch in Runovschyna, o The village of Runovschyna's Center for Combating and Preventing AIDS, and o The Poltavska Regional Drug Dispensary. The Children's Center began receiving funding from the oblast budget for HIV+ children and HIV prevention programs for youth and teens. The Children's Center and the theater-studio "Rubicon" received recognition from the oblast administration as innovative programs and named them "The Best Social Projects" in 2007.
In 2008, Executive Director Maxim Demchenko received an award from the Order of the Ministry of Family, Youth, and Sport for his active work and contributions to Ukrainian social programs. During 2008, the strategic focus of the organization became the development of HIV services in towns and villages in Poltavska oblast. The organization began services in the following communities: o Lubny – opened a community center for IDUs and PLWHA, and started a working group to help people living with HIV. o Kremenchug – created an initiative to develop a self-help group for PLWHA. Kremenchug and Piryatin – Light of Hope employees in these cities became members of the Regional Coordinating Council of the All-Ukrainian Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS. o Gadyach – established services for PLWHA Together with the Poltava AIDS Center and the local TB dispensary, the organization created a multi-disciplinary team to expand services to clients with dual diagnoses of HIV and TB. Also in 2008, the organization expanded services to care for and support HIV+ pregnant women to create conditions for the birth of a healthy child. Additionally, the organization began a service to find foster care parents for HIV+ children. In collaboration with the public association "Our Home – Poltava", "Light of Hope" implemented comprehensive care for PLWHA. During 2009, the organization developed a "Harm Reduction" program to reach previously un-served IDUs. During the first seven (7) months, the program, "Partnership – Knowledge – Security – Purpose," reached 900 new clients with intervention services. About 10% continue as Light of Hope clients. The program expanded throughout the year and now has five (5) permanent outlets where clients receive condoms, exchange syringes, and obtain information brochures. Clients also receive motivational support, information on reducing risky behavior, and referrals to health facilities and other local NGOs. Light of Hope also began to provide free anonymous HIV testing. In 2009, 394 people were tested. The organization began to provide HIV prevention trainings in schools and universities in the Poltava oblast. In 2009, Light of Hope reached approximately 17,000 young people. In December 2009, Light of Hope celebrated its 10th anniversary. Over 200 invited guests, including government officials, clients, partner organizations, and journalists attended. In 2009, the client make-up was: 1,833 IDUs, 339 of which are SMT clients 1,013 – PLWHA At the beginning of 2010, representatives from Stuttgart's "Connect Plus EV" visited Poltava for its 6th annual project to exchange experiences and provide training to local social workers. The topic: "New Methods of Social Work" included seminars on SMT. Light of Hope implemented The All-Ukrainian Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS and Global Fund's "Rehabilitation for IDUs and PLWHA" program. The aim of the program is to eliminate chemical dependence among IDUs and PLWHA. The program is free for all participating clients. In February 2010, the organization began an information campaign and support group for stimulant users. In three months, the program attracted 30 new clients. In March 2010, the organization opened an office in the local TB clinic to provide social assistance and support to clients. In April 2010, Maxim Demchenko, Executive Director of Light of Hope traveled to Liverpool to participate in the International Conference of the International Harm Reduction Association. Light of Hope believes in innovation. To date the most significant achievement of the organization is the implementation of a comprehensive 'case management' approach to solving client problems and addressing their many needs. Given the increasing role of local authorities in combating the rise in HIV and drug addiction in the Poltava region, in 2010, the organization and other NGOs began a dialogue with the Poltava City Council. The purpose is to find effective solutions to social problems through funding increases and open communication between NGOs and government. Over the past few years, there has been an increase in the number of clients and the number of programs implemented by the organization. However, simultaneously, there have been significant changes in the political, economic and donor environments both regionally and nationally. These factors have had a major impact on clients and the organization. In response to these changes, the organization has begun to improve the quality of care for our most vulnerable clients and develop new strategies of organizational development to increase overall effectiveness and efficiency. Open Society (USA) and ICF – Renaissance, fund this program of structural change. 2011
During
the year specialists of comprehensive social support provided to
families who find themselves in difficult circumstances: had taken
redirect clients to other organizations / agencies, provided family and
individual counseling psychologist and social worker, conducted
self-help groups and training schools affiliation for parents, children which are HIV-positive status. Through the joint efforts of experts managed to keep the families of 10 children affected by HIV / AIDS. It adopted an HIV-positive child, aged 7 years, and established a foster family for HIV-positive child. The
department conducted four training sessions for representatives of
education on "tolerance in children with HIV status" in order to reduce
stigma and discrimination of HIV-positive children in the system of
school education. Training activities covered 90 teachers Poltava and Poltava region. During
the reporting period a number of activities were organized recreation
for children, "Weekends with McDonald's," where 30 children were
provided with food and gifts. Through
fundraising activities involving 50 tickets for the whole summer to
children's entertainment center "Playland", where children's center
works with children in out visiting mode. 25 clients of our project could improve your health on the Black Sea through the city budget. Department
of Family, Children and Youth provided an invitation to celebrate the
first bell for first-grade children was festive program, dinner and
gifts. In
2011, the social and psychological services covered about 50 families
in difficult circumstances, social and psychological services used 156
pregnant HIV-positive women, 100 children used the services of
Children's Center.
During the year the services of a rehabilitation center 80 customers took advantage of the Association. The Association was established rehabilitation centers in Ukraine, which includes the RC "new twist". Successfully
implemented the Network project "Rehabilitation of HIV-positive IDUs,"
during his service implementation used 40 clients.
Last
year was created 8 multydistsyplinarnyh teams that can deliver quality
services to IDUs in SMT programs, and opened 3 new sites SMT in Poltava
region. Organized
activities 4 centers integrated services for IDUs, where they can
simultaneously receive not only consult relevant experts and her
treatment of TB, HIV, ST. It was also held two stages of vaccination against hepatitis "B" – is now Stage 3 revaccination.
The program of SMT in the Poltava region to date is 415 patients. The programs of "harm reduction" was attended by more than 1200 IDUs.
In
December 2011 with the support of city government was inaugurated
Center for Adaptation to homeless persons and released from prison, who
provided shelter to more than 30 bezhatchenkam.
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